When I Couldn't Take LinkedIn Anymore
Last year, at the beginning of January, I took a "forced" break from LinkedIn. Not out of boredom with the platform or lack of interest—on the contrary, LinkedIn is an integral part of my professional ecosystem and has often provided valuable opportunities. But I had to stop because I realized something was wrong.
Throughout November and December 2023, a feeling of unease crept in. At first, I attributed it to workload stress, then to the holiday season blues—you know, that melancholy some people feel as Christmas approaches (see the article on natalophobia). But once January arrived, when everything should have returned to normal, I noticed that this weight still lingered. Fatigue, loss of motivation, a growing sense of illegitimacy... I couldn't identify the cause.
I decided to observe myself, to self-assess with more attention, and I started to see a connection between my state of mind and my activity on LinkedIn. Every day, I was exposed to an avalanche of others’ successes: new promotions, thriving businesses, dazzling achievements, etc. And me? I felt like I was stagnating. Like I wasn’t measuring up.
That’s when I started digging, looking for scientific studies on the impact of social media on mental health. What I read and learned helped me a lot. What I share here is not intended as a plea for my own image or anything else. My goal is to share information that can help better understand and support those who experience this singular feeling.
So here is a summary of the studies I read on the impact of social media on mental health.
1. Social Comparison: The Insidious Poison
Social comparison is a well-known psychological phenomenon based on a simple mechanism: we evaluate our own worth in relation to others. On LinkedIn, this comparison is omnipresent and often biased.
Research conducted by the University of Quebec shows that negative comparisons on Facebook are directly linked to depressive and anxious symptoms. LinkedIn operates on the same principle: the emphasis on professional successes and brilliant careers creates a high, sometimes unattainable, standard. The result? A sense of failure, illegitimacy, and even deep demotivation.
A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research revealed that intensive use of LinkedIn is associated with an increase in depressive and anxious symptoms. Why? Because we are constantly exposed to polished successes, to idealized careers, without seeing the reality behind these posts.
2. Impostor Syndrome: When LinkedIn Amplifies Our Doubts
Impostor syndrome is the phenomenon where one doubts their own abilities and fears being "exposed" as a fraud. For some LinkedIn users, this syndrome is exacerbated by the constant stream of self-promotional posts.
A study published in The Lancet shows that young adults exposed daily to social media are more likely to experience this syndrome. Some LinkedIn members, by showcasing exceptional careers and impressive achievements, fuel this feeling of illegitimacy.
We compare ourselves to people who, more often than not, only show the best aspects of their journeys. We see their successes but rarely their failures, doubts, or struggles. The result? We feel like we’re the only ones struggling, the only ones who are "not good enough."
3. LinkedIn and Job Insecurity: A Toxic Stress Factor
A British study demonstrated that LinkedIn can reinforce job insecurity by exposing users to idealized career paths. This phenomenon is even more pronounced for those seeking employment or going through professional uncertainty.
LinkedIn’s algorithms favor high-engagement content, meaning the most popular posts are often those showcasing spectacular successes. This creates a distortion of reality: we see more successes than failures, reinforcing the impression that we are falling behind.
According to a study from the Journal of Adolescent Health, this overexposure to others' achievements can lead to decreased self-esteem and increased anxiety.
4. A Reflection on Our LinkedIn Usage: Should We Take a Step Back?
Faced with these findings, I asked myself the following question: how can we use LinkedIn healthily without falling into these psychological traps? I don’t have a very clear answer, but I have tested a few approaches—or rather, adopted a few new behaviors.
Here are some thoughts:
Limit exposure time: Reduce daily browsing and avoid aimless scrolling.
Develop a critical perspective: Keep in mind that posts can be embellished and often show only part of the reality.
Share failures too: Break the taboo of perfect success by daring to talk about challenges and difficulties—this is one of the goals of this article.
Engage with sincerity: Use LinkedIn as a genuine support network rather than a showcase of perfection.
And You, How Do You Experience LinkedIn?
As you’ve gathered, I decided to rethink my approach to LinkedIn. I returned after my break, but with a more discerning eye. I’ve learned to take a step back from the posts I read, to detach from toxic comparisons, and to value sincere interactions. In my own way, I try not to contribute to fueling these feelings while still keeping in mind the professional interest of this platform.
But what about you? How do you perceive LinkedIn? Have you ever felt these effects? How do you manage your relationship with the platform? I would love to open up the discussion and hear your thoughts.
Feel free to share your experience in the comments. After all, LinkedIn is just a tool, and it’s up to us to use it wisely.
Written by: Sébastien GENTY
Comments